The Real Politics Of Politics
Posted by David Tirsch on Oct 1, 2004 - 8:42:00 PM

We are now in the final days of the presidential election. Each political party's machine has been feverishly working behind the scenes to build up to this climactic moment. The Republicans are running their campaign on the concept that everything is finally starting to work in our favor, and will get even better if we re-elect President Bush.

The Democrats are running their campaign on the concept that everything is screwed up, and the only way to salvage America is to elect Kerry. This is the same redundant political rhetoric we hear in every election. One party wants us to think things are great and getting better (the incumbent), while the other wants us to think things can't get any worse (the challenger). They scare us into thinking that there is so much at stake in this election (they usually say this is the most important election ever) that if the other party is elected, it will literally be the end of the world. In reality, will it be the end of the world for us, or for the politician?

Webster's definition of politics is "the art or science concerned with winning and holding CONTROL over a government." There is a reason our political parties leadership is scaring us as much as they are. It is because there is more power in controlling the presidency than any other position in the world, and they will do whatever it takes to gain (or maintain) this control. The Presidency is the holy grail of politics.

The President not only becomes the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, but he determines the federal budget and he becomes the Chief Executive of the Federal Government. The President nominates Cabinet members (usually friends and political supporters), Supreme Court Justices & Federal Judges (who determine issues such as if gay marriage should be legal or not), and Ambassadors (who help determine our foreign policy). The President can appoint a number of personal aides and advisors and can fill hundreds of lower jobs in the executive branch. In many ways, the election is a giant job grab (or layoffs) for thousands of supporters and party executives.

In my view you shouldn't necessarily vote for a candidate because you like or dislike him. You should vote based upon if you like what the political party represents. It is the party you are electing more than the individual.

All that being said, do you think your personal life would be much different today if Gore was elected in 2000? We all know Barbara Streisand would be happier as she would be enjoying nights in the Lincoln Bedroom. In reality the only thing that would be different in your life would be your blood pressure. If you are Republican you would be angry because your party leaders had convinced you that Gore had an evil agenda, and was setting up the election. If you are a Democrat you would be a bit happier as your leaders would be convincing you things are great. Ain't politics grand?!?